about the cause between me and Egil, how it shall go. Thou
hast pleaded Egil's cause with great eagerness, since thou
offerest to risk a conflict with me. Now shall I for thy sake
do what thou hast asked, letting Egil go from my land safe
and unhurt. But thou, Egil, so order thy goings that, after
leaving my presence and this hall, thou never come before
my eyes, nor my sons' eyes, nor be ever in the way of
myself or my people. But I give thee now thy head this
time for this reason, that thou camest freely into my power.
I will do no dastardly deed on thee; yet know thou this for
sure, that this is no reconciliation with me or my sons or
any of our kin who wish to wreak their vengeance.
Then sang Egil:
'Loth am I in nowise,
Though in features loathly,
Helm-capt head in pardon
From high king to take.
Who can boast that ever
Better gift he won him,
From a lordly sovereign's
Noble-minded son?'
Arinbjorn thanked the king with many fair words for the honour and friendship that he had shown him. Then they two, Arinbjorn and Egil, went back to Arinbjorn's house. After that Arinbjorn bade horses be made ready for his people. He rode away with Egil, and a hundred fully armed men with him. Arinbjorn rode with that force till they came to king Athelstan, where they were well received. The king asked Egil to remain with him, and inquired how it had gone between him and king Eric. Whereupon Egil sang:
'Egil his eyes black-browed
From Eric, raven's friend,
Welcomed. Wise help herein
Wife's loyal kin lent.
My head, throne of helmet,
An heritage noble,
As erst, from rough rainstorm
To rescue I knew.'
But at the parting of Arinbjorn and Egil, Egil gave Arinbjorn those two gold rings that king Athelstan had given him, whereof each weighed a mark. And Arinbjorn